Mugen: "Whaddya mean you don't remember her sayin' Samurai Champloo don't belong to her? Well it don't, so don't ya forget it."

Me: "What if I give you a free manicure, Mugen! Then will you let me have the show?"

Mugen:"I'll let you have it alright..."

Me:"EEP."

Chapter 2: Misery Brings Misery

"Your hair is so pretty." Fuu complimented as she tied the end of Mai's long strands into a red tie. The two were seated contently on a huge rock overlooking a calm stream.

"Thank you, Fuu. You've been so very kind to me."

"I'm just so happy I finally have a woman for company."

"How long have you all been traveling together?" Mai asked curiously.

"It seems like forever, but it's only been for a few months. They drive my crazy." Mai couldn't help but let a small smile escape.

"It must be nice to have such good friends..." Fuu returned the smile, realizing she must have sounded like a fool for complaining about them when Mai had no one.

"Let's go and find them." Fuu suggested and she helped Mai to her feet.

"You do not wish me to go with you?" Mai's voice, as much as she tried to conceal it, was wrought with dissapointment and sorrow. Jin maintained his stoic expression.

"You will not fair well traveling in your current condition. As it is, we've dwindled away too much time here." Fuu was visably miffed.

"Hey wait a second! So you two just up and decided what Mai was going to do? Mai can decide for herself!" Fuu paused. "She's coming with us!" Mugen rolled his eyes and Jin stood still. She waited for a reply but both men were silent. Mai spoke,

"You've already done so much for me. I cannot ask that I burden you farther. Thank you for everything." Mai held out her hand to Jin, who stared down at it puzzled. She saw his confusement. Quickly realizing he knew not of European ways, she took his hand in hers and he stiffened, caught off guard. He watched, still dumb struck but intrigued as she shook it gently. Their eyes locked and Jin's bore into her indigo orbs, realization ever apparant in them. She went to release his hand but he retained his grasp.

"Fuu is right..." He began. Fuu blinked,

"I am?"

"Come with us if that is truly what you desire..." Jin finished, releasing her hand.

"Nothing but another mouth to feed if you ask me..." Mugen complained later on, loud enough for Mai to hear. She and Fuu walked several feet behind the two men. He outstretched his arms and intertwined his hands behind his head. Fuu pouted,

"But nobody asked you."

"Of course, if you're ever hungry..." He added devilishly, shooting a look directly at Mai. She met with his eyes and quickly darted her own away.

"Would you shut up already with the insinuations!" Fuu demanded angrily. "What a pig..." She mumbled. Mugen then turned his attention to Jin.

"You sure changed your mind quick back there..."

"Hmm." Jin hummed simply.

"Sweet on her or somethin'?" Jin was quick to protest that, but he did so in his usual composure,

"I merely wish to assist her as she is floundering in an unknown world. Japan is not her place of origin. And Fuu seems adamant in aiding her."

"Whatever." Mugen said unphased.

Night fell quickly and the four camped in a clearing for the night. Fuu went out in search of fire wood with Jin. She insisted Mai stay and rest. However, Mai was more than anxious of being alone with Mugen. But in a matter of minutes he was snoring loudly. She studied him and began to wonder if he was nothing more than boisterous talk and attitude. She allowed him to scare her that's for sure. But what woman wouldn't be? He was a stranger to her, he was loud and extremely rude, barbaric really and yet was he really dangerous? Fuu bickered with him constantly and he had never once lifted a hand to strike her, instead he responded with childish taunting. Still, Mai could not push away her fear of him and decided she would not let her guard down around him, or around any man really, after her terrible ordeal. But she also knew she needed to thank him, it was him who ultimately saved her life in getting the medicine to her. She was suddenly jerked from her thoughts, however, when Mugen's deep voice spoke up, his eyes still closed,

"Why ya starin' at me?" She froze. What was he doing awake? And was her stare so strong he felt it? Apparantly...unless he was taunting her like he normally did. Mai struggled for words,

"I- I'm sorry..." Was all she could stutter.

"I'm used to it..." He yawned, his eyes still closed. "All women stare at me..."

"Oh..."

"Cause they dig me, of course." Mugen explained. Mai looked away, Boy was he cocky. She was sure they only stared because they were weary of him like she was, not that she was insinuating he wasn't attractive, at least physically anyway. Still, she admitted that a part of her actually envied him. He was strong, independent, capable and was no where near lacking in self esteem. She couldn't help but think had he been in her situation he probably would have been back home by now...wherever that was. "Well, quit gawkin' for now and go to sleep." He ordered her as if she was a child. Mugen opened one eye, "Unless of course you're scared and need company." Mai remained silent, again ignoring his shameless flirtation.

"I feel so bad for her." Fuu's voice trailed off as she and Jin continued foraging for branches. "I can't imagine how alone she must feel. I don't even want to think about being lost in Europe with no recollection of where I came from."

"I cannot say I believe much of what she's told us." Fuu immediately darted her eyes up at the dark samurai, who kept his own gaze straight ahead, unwaivering. Fuu, however, stopped as Jin continued to walk on.

"Wait a second! You mean you don't trust Mai?"

"I do not trust her words." Jin explained, stopping as well. Fuu caught up to him, studying him.

"She has no reason to lie! You said yourself those thugs had attacked her. No one with such injuries could lie about something like that."

"It is not her pain I doubt, but rather her expression of failed memory." Fuu shook her head.

"Believe what you like, Jin. I trust Mai." With that Fuu started off ahead of him but she felt his hand catch her arm.

"Drop the branches, we won't be needing them tonight." Fuu frowned,

"Of course we will! We need them for the fire."

"My main objection for coming out here was to only speak my mind to you, not to forage for kindling. Starting a fire would prove most unwise. The smoke would attract unwanted attention." Jin plainly explained and with that he walked past Fuu to return to the others. Fuu groaned,

"All that work for nothing!"

Mai was more than happy when Fuu and Jin returned and immediately Fuu offered her a bright smile and sat down beside her. Jin, meanwhile sat alone, across from them. Mai watched him and Jin felt her eyes but he chose not to call her out on it.

"What happened to the fire wood?" Mai questioned. Mugen grunted and rolled over on his side, his back facing everyone. Fuu replied,

"Jin thought it would be dumb of us to start one...those creeps might see the smoke and find out where we are. I guess we're freezing tonight..." With that she hugged herself, rubbing her arms to signify she could already feel the chill on her skin. Mai said nothing, looking away. They'd freeze tonight because of her. She stood up and this clearly caught the attention of both Jin and Fuu.

"Mai? What's the matter?" Fuu questioned.

"I cannot do this to all of you...I've brought you all nothing but unpleasentries..."

"You could fix that ya know..." Mugen pointed out, his back still facing everyone. One of Fuu's geta then ricocheted off of his head. Mugen growled as he rubbed his newly inflicted injury. Jin closed his eyes,

"You wish to leave us?"

"I see no other option..." Mai regretfully replied. Saddened and always ready to argue a point, Fuu stood up along side her,

"You can't leave! You didn't mean for any of this to happen, things just happen. Going out there on your own is practically suicide!"

"And staying here, accepting your boundless kindness is only pushing misery on your own..." Fuu opened her mouth to protest but was surprised Jin had beat her to it,

"Life brings misery, those who mean harm and oppression on others bring misery, misery brings misery. You bring no such thing to any of our lives..." Fuu smiled gratefully at Jin, even though he failed to notice it, what with his head still slightly bowed and his eyes remaining closed. Mai managed a small smile in response, and gripped her ragged robes.

"Just quit whining about it already! What's done is done. The bastards will show up again, no question, but if you don't mind- I'd like some fuckin' sleep already..." Mugen suddenly raged, flinging Fuu's geta back at her.

"OW!" She screamed and an amusing, but terribly loud, fight errupted from it. There'd be little to no shut eye tonight. Through the comical havoc, however, Mai retained her smiling at Jin and this time, he took notice.

If you're interested,I completedasketch of Mai. I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell me if it's possible to post the link to the drawing in the story? thank you!